Junior Jaguars off to Dominican Republic for CFU U14 Challenge Series

Following months of intensive training, technical development and competitive preparation, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) disclosed that the Under-14 Boys National Team will depart Guyana today, Friday, August 14, for Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

There, the junior national team will be competing in Group C, Tier II of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys Under-14 Challenge Series.
According to the Federation, the 20-member squad features a promising blend of young footballers from Guyana, the US, and England, who will come together to represent Guyana on the regional stage. The team will open its campaign against Montserrat on Sunday, August 16, before facing Anguilla on Monday, August 17, and the Bahamas on Wednesday, August 19.
The tournament marks an important stage in the development of a group of young players who have benefited from a structured preparation programme focused on technical development, tactical understanding, match fitness, competitive exposure and personal development. The final phase of preparation saw the team complete an 11-day residential encampment at the GFF National Training Centre (NTC), at Providence, where the players operated in a professional football environment designed to prepare them for the demands of international competition. The programme included twice-daily training sessions, carefully planned nutritional meals, and an improved approach to rest, sleep and recovery.
The encampment also incorporated important off-the-field development. The players participated in Emotional Intelligence and Anger Management Training sessions facilitated by the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) and Restorative Justice, reinforcing the importance of discipline, emotional control, teamwork, communication, and responsible decision-making as they progress in their football careers.
The team’s preparation has been anchored by the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS), launched in Guyana in April 2026 as part of FIFA’s global strategy to ensure talented young players have access to structured and sustainable development pathways. Through technical guidance, funding, resources and ongoing monitoring, the programme supports member associations in strengthening their player-development systems, and creating a stronger pipeline of talent for national-team football.
As part of their competitive preparation, the U14 boys tested themselves against older opposition, beginning with the Berbice Football Association Under-15 team, earning a 1-1 draw, with Dane Vancooten scoring Guyana’s goal.
The team then faced the East Coast Football Association (EDFA) Under-15 team, producing an impressive 5-1 victory. Dane Vancooten led the scoring with a brace, while Aaron Vasconcellos and Wayshawn Forde also found the net, with the fifth goal coming via an own goal.
In their third friendly, the U14s faced the Upper-Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Under-15 team, recording another 1-1 draw, with Dante Kowlessar scoring Guyana’s goal.
The matches provided valuable competitive experience against older players and allowed the technical staff to assess the team’s progress, identify areas for improvement and further prepare the players for the intensity of international competition.
GFF President Wayne Forde has met with the team on several occasions throughout their preparation, encouraging the young players to embrace the opportunity, remain disciplined and proudly represent Guyana.
“We are committed to giving every eligible youth national team the opportunity to compete on the international stage because we believe these experiences provide their first window into professional football and the standards that come with it. We are investing more in their preparation – not only technically and tactically, but also by using modern sports science to improve how they train, recover, eat and prepare mentally for competition,” the GFF president said.
He added, “I commend these young players for the discipline they have shown throughout this preparation process. They must understand that when they put on the Guyana jersey, they are not representing themselves alone; they are ambassadors for an entire nation. Guyana is behind them, and we want them to go to the Dominican Republic, compete with courage and discipline, enjoy the experience and make their country proud.”
The team is being led by Head Coach Jamal Pedro, who will make his inaugural appearance on national duty as a head coach. One of the rapidly emerging coaches within the GFF’s national coaching pool, Pedro has demonstrated a strong commitment to youth development and has worked closely with the players and technical staff throughout the preparation period.
The GFF noted that their investment in youth football continues to expand beyond participation and competition, with greater emphasis being placed on creating structured development pathways capable of producing technically equipped, confident and competitive young footballers.
“Through the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, national youth programmes, regional competitions, coaching development, increased match exposure, modern sports science and targeted technical resources, the Federation is building stronger foundations for the sustained development of youth football in Guyana.”
“The U14 Boys’ participation in the CFU Challenge Series is a direct reflection of this approach, providing young players with meaningful international competition while allowing the GFF to measure their progress against regional opposition. As the young Golden Jaguars prepare to take the field in Punta Cana, the GFF remains confident that the experience will represent another important step in their footballing journey and contribute to the development of Guyana’s next generation of national players,” the Federation shared in a missive.